All Commentary
OpinionTime to shift out of crisis mode, EuropeTomorrow, Dutch elections and the German Constitutional Court's decision on the eurozone bailout fund have the potential to shake up the plan for Europe's debt crisis – again. Europe must shift away from piecemeal, stopgap measures and set the framework for a true banking union.
- Readers RespondReaders Write: The perils of allowing women in combat
Letters to the Editor for the September 10, 2012 weekly print issue: The policy decision to allow women to serve in infantry combat should only be made after diligent consideration of the long-term effects – on women, the military, and the country.
OpinionWhy I miss Ross Perot: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama ads are full of outright liesMitt Romney and President Obama are taking a break today from negative campaigning in honor of Sept. 11. But that doesn't change the outright lies dominating political ads this season. We need a viable third party to help keep these two candidates and their super PACs honest.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveHelp for God's creatures, from His creation
A Christian Science perspective.
The Monitor's ViewThe Chicago teachers strike in an era of accountabilityThe Chicago teachers strike isn't only about pay and work hours. The union also opposes merit pay and stricter evaluation of teachers. The strike's outcome will influence the future of a national movement for accountability of public school teachers.
3 views on whether states should legalize marijuana This November, voters in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington will consider ballot measures to legalize and regulate marijuana, much as alcohol and tobacco are taxed and regulated. In this first in a series of "one minute debates" for election 2012, three writers give their brief take on the issue.- A Christian Science PerspectiveUse what you have
A Christian Science perspective.
The many forms of exploitationAcross the world, women, children, and men are forced or pressured into jobs that keep them in modern-day servitude. Some involve sexual exploitation. Millions more are central to the goods and services the developed world enjoys.
The Monitor's ViewAsia must shed myth of limited goodThis year's summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum comes as Asia faces pressure to revert to an old notion that prosperity and power only come at the expense of others. This dynamic region should resist such myths.
OpinionAfter the confetti, Obama faces a reality checkVoters still need hope and change. But it is much harder for Obama to justify four more years, given historic numbers of Americans living in poverty, record high food-stamp use, and sluggish job growth. Last night, the president only partly succeeded in pointing the way ahead.
OpinionObama speech: Despite foreign policy successes, a need for the big viewIn his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, President Obama pointed to foreign policy successes, such as killing Osama bin Laden. But he and GOP nominee Mitt Romney still need to lay out a vision for a changing world. US influence depends on its competitiveness.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveHave you tried turning?
A Christian Science perspective: Turning to God instead of giving up or trying harder can lift you up and over what seems like an impenetrable wall.
The Monitor's ViewIntegrity and the Harvard cheating scandalHarvard University's investigation of alleged mass cheating in one class points to the difficulty of schools teaching integrity to students. Rules, honor codes, and courses on ethics can help. But much depends on individual character.
OpinionNot true, Mitt Romney: History shows business experience doesn't make a good presidentMitt Romney has derided President Obama for lacking the business experience he claimed as 'essential to his task.' That's a popular GOP message, but it's not true. America's best-rated presidents weren't businessmen, and those with the most business success rank among the worst.
OpinionObamacare champions personal responsibility. The states that hate it don't.Bill Clinton rightly defended Obamacare at the Democratic National Convention. Mitt Romney and the GOP say the law neglects personal responsibility, but the opposite is true. Plus, states that voted against the law exhibit the least personal responsibility in health behaviors.
- A Christian Science PerspectiveBeyond debate and dialogue
A Christian Science perspective.
OpinionDefenders of the 'Chinese way' are off the markHillary Rodham Clinton's insistence on a democratic approach to controversies involving China has brought out similarly insistent statements from defenders of the 'Chinese way.' They point to flaws of democracy while touting China's special Confucian values. This is dangerous thinking.
OpinionChina territorial disputes: a warning in the history of Imperial JapanThe emerging Japan of the 1920s and ’30s, like today’s China, was steeped in historic resentment of the West’s forcible imposition of commercial and cultural influence. Both countries set about building military capabilities commensurate with their new economic prowess.
The Monitor's ViewWhy trust eludes GOP, Democrats at political conventionsRepeated disregard of the facts – and fact-checkers – forces voters to arm themselves by searching out the truth about candidates.
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